Episode Overview

Episode Title: Boston Blackie: Boxer's Murder Case (10/18/1945)
Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Original Broadcast Date: October 18, 1945
Summary:
This episode features Boston Blackie, the famed detective, as he dives into the seedy world of fixed boxing matches and murder. Bob Johnson, a prizefighter, is pressured to throw a fight but wins instead—only to end up dead at his own victory party. Boston Blackie must navigate a tangled web of gamblers, managers, and fighters to uncover the real killer, all while contending with his frequent adversary, Inspector Faraday.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

The Set-Up: The Fixed Fight

• [00:00 - 04:16]
  • Bob Johnson, the champion boxer, is prepping for a big fight.
  • He’s approached by Edwards, a shady gambler, who tries to bribe/threaten him into taking a dive in the sixth round (“Either you get knocked out in the sixth or dragged out of an alley later on. See you later, champ.” - Edwards, 01:17).
  • Boston Blackie visits Johnson’s dressing room to confront him about rumors of a fixed fight. Tempers flare, and Blackie is physically thrown out.
  • “Taking a dive is pretty rotten, Bob.” — Blackie, 03:09

The Outcome: An Unexpected Victory

• [05:00 - 07:39]
  • Despite the fix, Johnson wins the fight by knocking out Hollister in the fifth round—unexpectedly, since everyone had bet on Johnson to purposefully lose in the sixth.
  • The gamblers are enraged; the stakes (and potential for revenge) are raised.

The Victory Party — And a Murder

• [08:03 - 10:26]
  • A party is thrown in Bob Johnson’s honor. Attendees include manager Beckley, girlfriend Carolyn, and others from the boxing world.
  • The mood shifts when Johnson can’t be found; moments later, Inspector Faraday arrives with shocking news: Bob Johnson has been found dead, apparently pushed from the penthouse (“Johnson’s…in the courtyard, 18 stories down, and he’s dead. Somebody in the building across the street saw him get pushed.” — Faraday, 10:36).
  • Blackie, having argued with Johnson earlier and being the last to see him alive, is immediately arrested for murder.

Blackie Under Suspicion (Interrogation)

• [11:00 - 16:14]
  • Faraday gives Blackie the third degree, accusing him with circumstantial evidence: presence, motive, recent altercation.
  • Blackie rebuts, pointing out other suspects: Edwards (the gambler), Hollister’s manager Beckley, and even Hollister himself.
  • “A crooked boxer, an important fight, heavy betting, a penthouse party. All it needs now…a beautiful blonde.” — Faraday, 13:33

Carolyn Smith's Intervention

• [14:13 - 16:54]
  • Carolyn Smith, Johnson's girlfriend, provides Blackie’s defense and points suspicion toward Edwards, claiming he threatened Johnson when Johnson failed to throw the fight.
  • Faraday leaves to investigate Edwards; Blackie and Carolyn set out on their own lead—suspecting manager Beckley.

Unraveling the Case: More Murder

• [17:03 - 18:10]
  • Blackie and Carolyn find Beckley dead in his home—another murder, obviously related.
  • Faraday catches up, and Blackie quickly eliminates Edwards as a suspect based on alibi timing, shifting his focus.

Closing in on the Real Killer

• [18:54 - 21:42]
  • Carolyn confronts Hollister, accusing him of both murders based on knowledge of the fix and his suspicious knockout.
  • Hollister becomes aggressive, confirming Carolyn’s theory through his reactions.
  • Blackie, lurking nearby, confronts Hollister directly and overpowers him in a brief scuffle.
  • “Go to sleep, little killer.” — Blackie, 21:39

Case Resolution

• [22:08 - 23:07]
  • Hollister confesses under police questioning.
  • Blackie explains his deduction: Hollister took a dive in the fifth, bet heavily on Johnson, was blackmailed for his scheme, and killed both Johnson and Beckley to cover his tracks.
  • “I was sure Johnson and Beckley were killed by the same man for the same reason.” — Blackie, 22:48
  • Faraday is (reluctantly) grateful, as always.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Edwards threatens Johnson:

  • “Either you get knocked out in the sixth or dragged out of an alley later on.” — Edwards, 01:17

• Blackie confronts Bob Johnson:

  • “Taking a dive is pretty rotten, Bob.” — Blackie, 03:09

• Faraday’s cynicism:

  • “A crooked boxer, an important fight, heavy betting, a penthouse party. All it needs now…a beautiful blonde.” — Faraday, 13:33

• Carolyn puts Faraday back on track:

  • “I know he made a deal with Bob to throw the fight in the sixth round. And I was with Edwards…when Bob won…the fifth. Edwards said he was going to take care of Bob.” — Carolyn, 15:34

• Blackie on Faraday's suspicions:

  • “I remain, as always, Faraday, your faithful suspect.” — Blackie, 10:53

• Climactic confrontation:

  • “Go to sleep, little killer.” — Blackie, 21:39

• Case solved:

  • “I don’t solve all the police cases in this town, only the ones that Faraday works on.” — Blackie, 23:04

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-------------------------------------------| | 00:00–04:16| Fight fix set-up; first confrontation | | 05:00–07:39| Unexpected outcome in the boxing ring | | 08:03–10:36| The party; Johnson's murder is discovered | | 11:00–14:13| Blackie’s interrogation | | 14:13–16:54| Carolyn’s testimony | | 17:03–18:10| Beckley is found dead | | 18:54–21:42| Carolyn confronts Hollister, Blackie intervenes | | 22:08–23:07| Wrap-up: case explanation and banter |

Tone and Style

The episode maintains its classic sharp and witty banter, particularly between Blackie and Faraday. The dialogue is snappy, with clever repartee masking real threats—and genuine investigative insight. The world is that of noir: full of double-crosses, tough guys, and shadowy motivations.

Conclusion

“Boxer’s Murder Case” blends sports intrigue with classic murder mystery, pitting Boston Blackie against both criminals and the police. The episode explores themes of betrayal, greed, and justice in the high-stakes milieu of 1940s boxing. With smart dialogue, a tangled plot, and plenty of twists, it’s a prime example of classic radio detective drama.